2024 Conference for Shellfish Growers

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Walk-ins will not be accepted.

First convened by WSG in 1991, the Conference for Shellfish Growers brings together shellfish producers, researchers, students and managers from the Pacific Northwest to discuss pressing issues and relevant research on aquaculture. We look forward to another engaging and insightful conference this year.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Alderbrook Resort & Spa for Sunday, March 10-Monday, March 11. The special rate of $159.00 USD (plus tax) per night for single occupancy is being offered to participants who register for hotel reservations by February 9, 2024 or until the room block is filled. Please call the hotel directly, at 360-898-2145 and let them know you are attending an event of the “University of Washington Sea Grant Program” to ensure the special room rate.

Conference Registration Fee: $200

Fee includes admittance to all sessions, lunch on day one, reception, and breakfast on day two. Cancellations will be accepted up to seven days prior to the conference. A refund, minus a handling fee of $50.00 USD will be made. You may transfer your registration to another individual. Individuals who do not show for the conference will forfeit their registration fee.

For more information, please contact Ashleigh Epps, Aquaculture Specialist, at aepps6@uw.edu or 206-543-3674

 

Draft 2024 Washington Sea Grant Annual Shellfish Growers Conference Agenda

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Alderbrook Resort and Spa | March 11-12, 2024

Monday, March 11, 2024

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8:00 a.m. Registration and Light Snacks Olympic Ballroom

9:00 a.m. Welcome: Event logistics and WSG Announcements

9:40 a.m. Looking Back, Looking Forward: Spanning the Generations of Shellfish Growers

Topic 1: Pest Management

10:10 a.m. Integrated Pest Management Working Group Updates David Beugli, Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association and Laura Butler, Washington State Department of Agriculture

10:30 a.m. Collaborative Research to Understand Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Salmon in the Nearshore Marine Environment James Losee, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

10:50 a.m. Green Crab Research Project Laura Kraft, Washington State University

11:10 a.m. Break

Topic 2: Shellfish Mortality

11:30 a.m. Clam Mortality and New Technology Gaps/Needs Andy Suhrbier, Pacific Shellfish Institute

11:50 a.m. Virginia Institute of Marine Science Oyster Mortality Workshop Update Bobbi Hudson, Pacific Shellfish Institute

12:10 p.m. Rapid Response Network Julieta Martinelli, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Rana Brown, Squaxin Island Tribe; Ashleigh Epps, Washington Sea Grant

12:30 Lunch Olympic Ballroom

Topic 3: Enhance Farm Technology

1:30 p.m. Wet Storage System Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish

1:50 p.m Evaluating the Potential for Co-Location Of Marine Energy and Aquaculture in Puget Sound Laura Nelson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratories and Liz Tobin, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

2:10 p.m. Connecting Farm Outcomes with EnvironmentalMonitoring Data Micah Horwith and Natalie Coleman, Department of Ecology

 2:40 p.m. Break

Topic 4: Shellfish Economics and Policy

3:00 p.m. Washington Reporting Data Bobbi Hudson, Pacific Shellfish Institute

3:20 p.m. Updating the Zostera Japonica Eelgrass Management NPDES Permit Shawn Ultican, Department of Ecology

3:40 p.m. Break

4:00 p.m THE USDA ARS Pacific Shellfish Research Unit — First Year Progress Updates Brett Dumbauld, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The USDA Pogs Breeding Project, What’s Happening, What It’s Doing And Where It’s Going Neil Thompson, U.S. Department of Agriculture

4:30 p.m. Updates from NOAA Fisheries: What’s new from the West Coast Regional Office and Northwest Fisheries Science Center Teri King (NOAA Fisheries – West Coast Region), Beth Sanderson & Mackenzie Gavery (NOAA Fisheries – NWFSC)

5:00 p.m. Adjourn

5:10 p.m. OPTIONAL Feedback Session for NOAA Fisheries

6:00-8:00 p.m. Reception Mount Washington

 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

8:00 a.m. Breakfast Olympic Ballroom

Topic 5: Safe Shellfish Consumption

9:00 a.m. Updates on the Safeguard Our Shellfish Campaign Nam Siu, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

9:20 a.m. What to Expect During Your Shellfish Inspection Cari Franz-West, Department of Health

9:40 a.m. Department of Health Growing Areas Restoration Program Update Scott Chernoff, Department of Health

10:00 a.m. Phytoplankton Monitoring Michelle Lepori-Bui, Washington Sea Grant

10:20 a.m. Break

Topic 6: West Coast Ocean Alliance and Ecotrust Workshop

10:40 a.m. West Coast Ocean Alliance and Ecotrust Workshop

11:50 a.m. Closing Remarks

Noon Adjourn